Wire drawing block



April 1944- w. MORGAN WIRE DRAWING BLOCK 2 Sheets-Sheet l II, I f

I Filed Nov. 2'7, 1942 l: glwuonfm I VL'LD MORGAN April 11, 1944. w MORGAN 2,346,447

WIRE DRAWING BLOCK Filed Nov. 27, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I i 4 g z WELD MORGAN Patented Apr. 11, 1944 WIRE DRAWING BLOCK.

Weld MorgamWorcester, Mass., assignor to Moi:-

gan Construction Company, Wrcester, Mass., a I corporation of Massachusetts Application November 27, 1-942, Seriaii No. 467,083

(01. ans-2m.

12 Claims.

This invention relates to wire. drawing blocks, and more particularly to blocks of the type-having provision for the. circulation of air therethrough for coolingpurposes.

The priorpatent to Morgan et a1. No..2,24'7,2. l8

discloses a wire drawingblock comprising an annular capstan portion: surrounding. a central hub andconnected thereto by spokes which are spaced apart to provide passages for the flow of air. The inner surface of the capstan portion is provided with a multiplicity of ribs which extend into the passages to transfer heat from the capstan portion to the air stream. The inner ends of these ribs terminate somewhat short of the hub so that a single core may be used to form each passage and the associated ribs when casting the block. A wide, space between the ribs and the hub is desirable in order that the core may have a strong solid body portion, but such a; wide space will form a free path for the air and allow a substantial part thereof to flow out of contact with the ribs. Consequently it has been thought necessary to make this space as narrow as possible without unduly hampering the manufacturing of the block by weakening the cores employed for the casting operation.

It is accordingly one object of the invention to provide an air cooled wire drawing block which will be comparatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture and highly efiicient in operation.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a wire drawing block having a multiplicity of air cooling ribs and so constructed that cores of ample strength can be employed in manufacturing the block in the foundry, and yet the air will be compelledv to flow in intimate contact with the ribs when the block is in service.

It is a further object of the invention to pro vide a wire drawing block of the air cooled type which will discharge the air in a highly eifective manner into contact with the wire accumulated on the block.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a wire drawing block which will form the drawn wire intoan orderly bundle free from crossed convolutions and which will discharge cooling air into the bundle.

With these and other objects in view, as will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art, the invention resides in the combination of parts set forth in the specification and covered by the claims appended hereto.

Referring to the drawings illustrating one embodimentof the invention and in which like reference numerals indicate like parts.

Fig. 1'. is a vertical section through a wire drawing block andtaken on the'line l-l of Fig. 2;

, Fig. 2 is a section 'on' the'line 2'2ofFig-. 1; Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3'-'-3"of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 is a top-planvi'ew of the block.

' The embodiment illustrated comprises an annula'rcapstan portion in the'form of a hollow vertical cylinder lil'having a flange II extending outwardly from its lower edge. At the center of the "block is a hub l2 likewise in the form of a hollow verticalcylinder, this hub being connected to the surrounding capstan portion by means of a plurality of radial spokes M which extend outwardly from the hub and lie in axial planes. In order to support and drive the blockthere is provided a vertical rotatable spindle l5 having a bushing l6 keyed to the upper portion thereof. The outer surface ofv this bushing is cylindrical and of theproper size to receive the hub I2 of the block. At the upper end of the hub there is provided an inwardly projecting lug l8 (Fig. 3) arranged to fit with a notch IS in the upper end of the bushing 16, to prevent relative rotation of these parts; The block is held in place on the bushing by means of a flat plate or cap 20 which is fastened tothe upper end of the spindle 15' by ascrewfl. i

The flange H is preferably provided with a series of circumferentia'lly spaced arcuate openings 23- arranged to direct streams of air upwardly into cooling contact with the wire which is wrapped about the capstan portion It; For this purpose the block is mounted above a circular opening 24 (Fig. 1) in the top plate 25 of the hollow frame of the machine, and this frame is supplied with air under pressure from any suitable source, all as disclosed in the: prior patent to Morgan et al'. No; 2,185,416. Some of the air flows upwardly through the openings 23, and some of the air flows upwardly through the interior of the capstan portion Hi to cool the same.

In order to cool the block more effectively, there are provided a multiplicity of thin ribs 21 which extend inwardly from the capstan portion ill and afford a very large area for the transfer of heat to the air as it flows between the ribs. As best shown in Fig.2, these ribs are arranged in groups, with one group located between each pair of adjacent spokes l4, and the ribs in each group are substantially parallel with one another and with'the axis of the block. Preferably each group of ribs is symmetrically disposed with respect to an axial plane extending through the center of the group. Furthermore,- the ribs preferably terminate a considerable distance short of the hub l2, so that it will be feasible to cast the ribs integral with the capstan portion and to form each group of ribs by means of a single core having a comparatively strong solid body portion, as will be apparent to those skilled in the foundry art.

It is important, however, that the air should flow in intimate contact with the ribs 21 in order that they may be effective in transferring heat to the air as desired. Accordingly a separately formed baffle means is assembled with the main,

flowing through the space between the inner ends of the ribs and the hub l2, and to compel the air to flow through the spaces between the ribs. For this purpose the plate 20 isextended outwardly and provided with a depending annular skirt 29' in the form of a hollow cylinderwhich liesclose to the inner ends of the ribs 21. This skirt is provided with notches 30 to receive the spokes l4. These notches divide the skirt 29 into a plurality of arcuate piece-s, one for each group of ribs.

The block illustrated is constructed to support a bundle of wire above the capstan portion H), and for this purpose it is provided with aseries of upright-posts or rod '32. The lower portions of these posts are inserted in sockets formed in bosses 34 adjacent the junctures "of the spokes I4 with the capstan portion, The posts are located withina circle-somewhat smaller in diameter than the capstan portion In in order that the convolutions of wire may shuflle laterally and remain in proper order as they are pushed upwardly by the continuous addition of wire to the capstan portion.

.There has been atendency with prior blocks for the convolutions in the bundle to become crossed and out of order, which causes great difficulty in the subsequent uncoiling of the bundle. In order to overcome this difficulty, the block is shaped to provide a wire-supporting surface which'merges smoothly and gradually with the capstan portion and decreases in diameter gradually fromthe diameter of the capstan portion to a diameter 'less than that defined by the posts 32. In the preferred construction illustrated an annular flange 36 is provided-as an upward continuation of the capstan portion. This flange slopes upwardly and inwardly, and it is'interrupted by notches 3'! (Fig. 4) to avoid interference with the posts 32. This construcgradually increasing lateral shuflling which will ensure an orderly bundle. Air jets will be discharged against the Wire from the openings 23 in the flange H. Air will also flow upwardly between the ribs 21 to cool the block in an efficient manner and thence outwardly through the slot 40 into contact with the wire bundle. The plate and skirt 29 will prevent the air from traveling through the open spaces between the inner ends of the ribs 21 and the hub l2. These v spaces are of great value in facilitating manucast portion of the block to prevent the air from tion results in a gradually increased shuffling of the upwardl moving convolutions as they approach contact with the posts, and produces a much more satisfactory bundle.

The air which flows upwardly past the ribs 21 is preferably discharged into direct cooling contact with the wire bundle supported by the posts 32. For this purpose the plate 20 is provided with an upwardly and outwardly flaring flange 39 which overlies the ribs 21 and cooperates with the flange 36 to provide an annular slot 40; The air will flow through this slot, and the flange 39 will direct the air jet outwardly in the desired manner.

The operation of the invention will now be apparent from the above disclosure. The spindle l5 will be rotated by any suitable means, and the wire will pass through the associated die into engagement with the flange II and thence around the capstan portion Ill. The convolutions of wire will be forced upwardly by the on-coming wire, and as they reach the upper portion of the capstan portion with its inwardly sloping flange 36 they will be subjected to a facture of the block, since they make it possible to utilize 'cores having strong solid bodies in casting. theblock in the foundry.

.It will beobvious that various changes may be made in the actual construction of the block without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth in the claims.

Havingthu described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters .Patent is:

' l.'A wiredrawing block compl'isinga central hub, an annular capstan portion surrounding the hub and spaced radially therefrom, means connecting the hub tothe capstan portion, a series of thin ribs extending inwardly from the capstan portion and terminating a considerable distance short of the hub, the ribs being sub stantially parallel with the axis of the block and adapted to transfer heat from the capstan portion to a stream of air flowing through the block, and a separately formed baflle means located in the space between the inner ends of the ribs and the hub to direct th air stream between the ribs.

2. A wire drawing block comprising a central hub, an annular capstan portion surrounding the hub and spaced radially therefrom, a plurality of spokes extending outwardly from the hub to the capstan portion, a series of thin ribs extending inwardly from the capstan portion between the spokes and terminating a considerable distance short of the hub, the ribs being substantially parallel with the axis of the block and adapted to transfer heat from the capstan portion to a stream of air flowing through the block between the spokes, and a separately formed bafile means located in the space between the inner ends of the ribs and the hub to direct the air stream between the ribs.

3. A wire drawing block comprising a central hub, an annular capstan portion surrounding the hub and spaced radially therefrom, means conmeeting the hub to the capstan portion, a series of thin ribs extending inwardly from the capstan portion and terminating a considerable distance short of the hub, the ribs being substantially parallel with the axis of the block, and a separately formed baflle located close to the inner edges of the ribs and cooperating with the cap stan portion to define a passage for the'flow of air through the block in intimate contact with the ribs.

4. A wire drawing block comprising a central hub, an annular capstan portion surrounding the hub and spaced radially therefrom, a plurality of spokes extending outwardly from the hub to the capstan portion, a series of thin ribs extending inwardly from the capstan portion between the spokes and terminating a considerable distance short of the hub, and a separately formed bafile located between the spokes and close to the inner edges of the ribs to cooperate with the-capstan portion in defining a passage for the flow of air through the block in intimate ac iacar contact with the ribs, the baffle being: arranged toreyolve with the block.

5. A wire drawing block" comprising a central hub, aniannular capstan portion surrounding the hub and: spaced radiallytherefrom, means connecting, the hub to the capstan portion, a series of'thin ribs extending inwardly from the capstan portion, the ribs being substantially parallel with the axis of the block and terminating a considerable distance short of the hub, a separately formed baflle extending along and close to the inner edges of the ribs to cooperate with the capstan portion in defining a passage for the flow of air through the block in intimate contact with the ribs, and means preventing air from flowing between the baflie and the hub.

6. A wire drawing block comprising a central hub, an annular capstan portion surrounding the hub and spaced radially therefrom, a plurality of spokes extending outwardly from the hub to the capstan portion, a series of thin ribs extendinginwardly from the capstan portion between the spokes and terminating a considerable distance short of the hub, a plate extending outwardly from the hub, and an annular flange ex-v tending from the plate along and close to the inner edges of the ribs to cooperate with the capstan portion in defining a passage for the flow of air through the block in intimate contact with the ribs, the flange having notches therein for the reception of the spokes.

7. A wire drawing block comprising a central hub rotatable about a vertical axis, an annular capstan portion surrounding the hub and spaced radially therefrom, a plurality of spokes extending outwardly from the hub to the capstan por tion, a series of thin ribs extending inwardly from the capstan portion between the spokes and terminating at considerable distance short of the hub, a separately formed plate extending outwardly from the hub above the spokes, and an annular flange depending from the plate and extending along and close to the inner edges of the ribs to cooperate with the capstan portion in defining a passage for the flow of air upwardly through the block in intimate contact with the ribs, the flange having notches therein for the reception of the spokes.

8. A wire drawing block comprising a central hub rotatable about a vertical axis, an annular capstan portion surrounding the hub and spaced radially therefrom, means connecting the hub to the capstan portion, a series of thin ribs extending inwardly from the capstan portion and adapted to transfer heat from the capstan por-. tion to a stream of air flowing upwardly through the block, a series of posts extending upwardly above the capstan portion to support convolutions of wire which are pushed upwardly from the capstan portion, and means providing an annu lar slot concentric with the block and through which the said stream of air is discharged from the block and into contact with the said convolutions of wire.

9. A wire drawing block comprising a central hub rotatable about a vertical axis, an annular capstan portion surrounding the hub and spaced radially therefrom, means connecting the hub to the capstan portion, a series of thin ribs extending inwardly from the capstan portion and adapted to transfer heat from the capstan portion to a stream of air flowing upwardly through the block, a series of posts extending upwardly above the capstan portion to support convolutions of wire which are pushed upwardly from the capstan portion, theposts being located within a circle somewhat smaller" in diameter" than the capstan portion, and an annular flange integral with the capstanportion and forming an upwardcontin-uation thereof, the flange-merging smoothly'andzgraduallywith the capstan portion and slopingupwardly-and inwardly to a diameter lesstharr that of the saidcircle to ensure-a gradually' increasing lateral shufliingof the wire con-- volutions as they approach contact with the posts.

10. A wire drawing block comprising a central hub rotatable about a vertical axis, an annular capstan portion surrounding the hub and spaced radially therefrom, means connecting the hub to the capstan portion, a series of thin ribs extending inwardly from the capstan portion and adapted to transfer heat from the capstan portion to a stream of air flowing upwardly through the block, a series of posts extending upwardly above the capstan portion to support convolutions of wire which are pushed upwardly from the capstan portion, the posts being located within a circle somewhat smaller in diameter than the capstan portion, an annular flange forming an upward continuation of the capstan portion. the flange sloping upwardly and inwardly to a diameter less than that of the said circle to ensure a gradually increasing lateral shuffling of the wire convolutions as they approach contact with the posts, and an upwardly and outwardly sloping flange located adjacent to the upper edge of the first-mentioned flange and cooperating therewith to define an annular slot through which the said stream of air is discharged from the block and into contact with the convolutions of wire on the posts.

11. A wire drawing block comprising a capstan portion rotatable about a vertical axis and having a substantially cylindrical outer surface and a flange extending outwardly at the bottom thereof, a series of posts extending upwardly above the capstan portion to support convolutions of wire which are pushed upwardly from the capstan portion, the posts being located within a circle somewhat smaller in diameter than the said cylindrical surface, and means providing a wire-supporting surface merging smoothly and gradually with the cylindrical surface to form an upward continuation thereof and decreasing in diameter to a diameter less than that of the said circle to ensure a gradually increasing lateral shuffling of the wire convolutions as they approach contact with the posts.

12. A wire drawing block comprising a central hub rotatable about a. vertical axis, an annular capstan portion surrounding the hub and spaced radially therefrom, the capstan portion having a substantially cylindrical outer surface and a flange extending outwardly from the bottom thereof, a plurality of spokes extending outwardly from the hub to the capstan portion, a series of thin ribs extending inwardly from the capstan portion between the spokes and terminating a considerable distance short of the hub, a series of posts extending upwardly above the capstan portion to support convolutions of wire which are pushed upwardly from thecapstan portion, the posts being located within a circle somewhat smaller in diameter than the said cylindrical surface, an annular flange forming an upward continuation of the capstan portion and sloping upwardly and inwardly to a diameter less than that of the said circle to ensure a gradually increasing lateral shufiling of the wire convolutions as they approach contact with the posts, a separately formed plate extending outwardly from the hub above the spokes, an annular flange depending from the plate and extending along and close to the inner edges of the ribs to cooperate with the capstan portion in defining a passage for the flow of air upwardly through the 'block in intimate contact with the ribs, the said depending flange having notches therein for the reception 

